Two retired New York detectives were convicted on Thursday of working for an organized crime family and helping commit murder when they worked for the city's police department.
A federal jury in Brooklyn found Stephen Caracappa, 64, and Louis Eppolito, 57, guilty of racketeering and conspiracy, which included their roles in 11 murders or attempted murders carried out on behalf of New York's Luchese crime family while the two were employed as police officers.
Prosecutors said Caracappa and Eppolito used their police cars and badges to stop or kidnap unsuspecting victims and that mob bosses routinely boasted it was easy to rub out enemies because they had two detectives on the payroll for $4,000 a month apiece.
They were also convicted of providing members of the Luchese family with the names of organized crime informants.
Both former detectives were taken into custody after U.S. District Court Judge Jack Weinstein revoked their bail and set a sentencing for May 22. They face sentences of up to life in prison.
Defense lawyers argued the men were framed by turncoat mobsters and others seeking government leniency for their own misdeeds.
They served on the New York Police Department for more than 20 years before retiring to Las Vegas.
The verdict came on the second day of jury deliberations.
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